Green Box


Albert E. Farley


The Lord truly blessed us all with a wonderful lectureship hosted by the Pennsboro church of Christ September 13-16, with the theme, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Terry Jones, the lectureship director will write a report of the lectures for an upcoming issue, and he will give the wonderful results of their planning, preparation, and presentation. The attendance was record-breaking for our ten lectureships.


We began having the WVC lectures with the prayer they would move around into the different areas of the state. Are there any congregations in West Virginia who may be thinking about the possibility of hosting the West Virginia Christian Lectures in the future? If so, please contact me, and we will be happy to speak with you about your desires. Thus far, the lectures have been conducted at Mannington, Martinsburg (3 times), Pennsboro (4 times), Pumpkin Center at Fairview, and Seth.) Those who may be considering this possibility would do well to speak with the congregations that have hosted the lectures in the past.


In my recent reading and studies in the book of Revelation, I have been greatly impressed by the emphasis of this book on our works. In each of His letters to the seven churches of Asia, our Lord said, emphatically, “I know thy works.” In these, He referred to their first works and their last works. He warned some that He had not found their works perfect. He said He would give to “every one of you according to your works.” He gave great promise to those who died in the Lord, that their works would follow them. In 22:12, He said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be … .” John concluded, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” The dead will be judged out of the things written in the books (the Holy Bible), “according to their works.” 20:11-15.


I once heard a very popular denominational television preacher lament about the unfaithful Christians among the seven churches of Asia. He, of course, believing the false doctrine of “once saved, always saved” and opposing any contribution of our obedient works to our salvation, said, “Wouldn’t it be awful to go to heaven and not have a personal relationship with the Lord?”


Dear friends, if we do not obey the Lord in faithful obedience of faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, and, if we are not faithful in the works the Lord has given us to do, we are not going to be in heaven with the Lord. Yes, the Bible places a great emphasis upon our obedient works. Hebrews 5:8, 9. –Albert.


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